Should the Electoral College be Abolished? Modified? Kept?
The way the U.S. elects presidents is unique in all the world. It is a throwback to the way the U.S. was created out of 13 different states and was meant to give the states along with the people a say in choosing the President. People vote first, but then their vote is boiled down to electoral votes for each state equal to the number of representatives and senators a state has. For example, Ohio has 18 electoral votes. California has 55. Montana has 3. Population makes some states more important to campaign in than others. However, it is not an exact ration. Depending on states won, a president can be elected who doesn't have a majority of the votes actually cast. It is close- but this has happened 4 times in American History.
Electors are actual people nominated by the different parties. Most states are winner take all. So, whoever wins Ohio in 2016, even if it's only by 1 vote, will take all of Ohio's electoral votes. That party's chosen electors will then meet to cast their ballots. These ballots will be sent to the outgoing Congress in D.C. where they will be counted. The winner will become president and be inaugurated on Jan 20th, 2017.
This way of electing presidents has a huge campaign on how candidates campaign. It also makes different states more important than others in deciding the president.
Should we keep the current system?
Here are a number of sites with further information about how the Electoral College works and with suggestions about why to abolish it or how to change it.
Should the Electoral College be Abolished? Modified? Kept?
The way the U.S. elects presidents is unique in all the world. It is a throwback to the way the U.S. was created out of 13 different states and was meant to give the states along with the people a say in choosing the President. People vote first, but then their vote is boiled down to electoral votes for each state equal to the number of representatives and senators a state has. For example, Ohio has 18 electoral votes. California has 55. Montana has 3. Population makes some states more important to campaign in than others. However, it is not an exact ration. Depending on states won, a president can be elected who doesn't have a majority of the votes actually cast. It is close- but this has happened 4 times in American History.
Electors are actual people nominated by the different parties. Most states are winner take all. So, whoever wins Ohio in 2016, even if it's only by 1 vote, will take all of Ohio's electoral votes. That party's chosen electors will then meet to cast their ballots. These ballots will be sent to the outgoing Congress in D.C. where they will be counted. The winner will become president and be inaugurated on Jan 20th, 2017.
This way of electing presidents has a huge campaign on how candidates campaign. It also makes different states more important than others in deciding the president.
Should we keep the current system?
Here are a number of sites with further information about how the Electoral College works and with suggestions about why to abolish it or how to change it.
What is the Electoral College?
Problems with the Electoral College
Defending the Electoral College
Should the U.S. Get Rid of the Electoral College?